USA national team forward Megan Rapinoe has won the women’s Ballon d'Or Feminin.
The 34-year-old, who starred in her nation’s triumph at the Women’s World Cup in June and July, becomes only the second ever winner of the individual prize in its current format after Lyon’s Norwegian striker Ada Hederberg claimed the inaugural Golden Ball for female footballers last year.
Rapinoe won the World Cup Golden Boot for top scorer at France 2019, claimed the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament and also took home Fifa’s The Best trophy in September.
The Reign FC attacker and activist, who earned widespread praise for her acceptance speech as she claimed the Fifa prize back in September, was not present in Paris to collect the Ballon d’Or on Monday and sent a more conventional message by video this time around.
England’s Lucy Bronze finished second on the 20-strong list, with Rapinoe’s international team-mate Alex Morgan in third place.
